Dear Editor,
Re “LETTER: Let science, not emotion, decide water bottling plant issue,” by Robert J. Ryan Jr., Dec. 6, 2014: I strongly agree that science should guide decision-making about the Niagara project.
Kingston’s water capacity was last evaluated in 1961. Both scientific methods and existing conditions have changed extensively since. Nevertheless, Kingston Water Department issued a “will serve” letter to Niagara last September that closed with, “welcome to Kingston.” Is it good science to use data more than 50 years out of date?
Ryan notes the Kingston Water Department has engaged an independent engineering consultant to conduct impact analysis. Wouldn’t science put updated analysis ahead of proceeding as if there is a foregone conclusion?
The state requires environmental review to ensure good science. The Water Department signed off on an Environmental Assessment Form that assumes the whole project is only to build a bottling plant. The science concerning the source of the water, its transfer to the plant, and the expulsion of wastewater into Esopus Creek were overlooked. This is bad science and illegal under state law and could expose Kingston to costly legal action.
When Water Superintendent Hansen presented her case to the Common Council, I sat next to a geophysicist who said there is no question there will be extensive impact on hydrology and precipitation if Niagara removes more than a million gallons of water per day from Kingston’s reservoir.
Science today creates “models” to understand total impact. Good science requires the results of such modeling studies before commitment is made.
Ryan’s account of Kingston’s water usage overlooks that Niagara seeks more than 25 percent of Kingston’s water capacity and virtually all of our remaining capacity. A commitment to Niagara could compromise our ability to create quality jobs in Kingston and at TechCity, our health and our quality of life.
I strongly urge Kingston citizens to review all of the facts surrounding this issue.
Kitty McCullough
Kingston, N.Y.